The scheme will be a 12 week programme of Saturday mornings 8am – 12 noon, using ponies which belong to the British Racing School. During these Saturday lessons, children will learn to ride ‘Racing Style’ using ponies, our simulators, video reviews and through practicing at home. Lessons will also concentrate on looking after a pony, horse health, feeding, tack and preparing a pony for the races.
Towards the end of the scheme, if the child has reached a sufficient standard and a pony race is available, we will take them to take part. This is not guaranteed.
To be eligible for the Academy you must be unable to take part in Pony Racing due to financial or other constraints if it were not for this scheme. Parents must agree to deliver their child to the racing school by 8am on every Saturday of the programme and collect them at 12 noon.
You should have already learnt how to walk, trot and canter unaided, and be available and commit to all twelve Saturdays of the scheme. You will need your own BSEN approved jockey skull cap, a suitable pair of smooth-soled jodhpur boots or full length riding boots and suitable leg wear (jeans are not acceptable). A back protector will be provided by BRS if you do not have one, and you will be given a BRS T-Shirt to be worn at every lesson and a BRS Jacket in the winter time.
You will be loaned a set of reins to practice changing hands during the week, which must be returned to BRS at the end of the 12 weeks.
There will be no cost for the scheme for the parent although it is advised that rider insurance is obtained at the parents’ expense. The scheme is paid for by the generosity of individual sponsors along with a grant from the Racing Foundation.
The Racing Foundation was established in 2012 to oversee the distribution of funds to charitable causes within racing following the sale of the Tote. Since inception, it has granted over £2 million to charities associated with the horseracing and Thoroughbred breeding industry in the UK, supporting work in social welfare, education, training and participation, horse welfare, equine science research, and heritage and culture.
Website: www.racingfoundation.co.uk
Twitter: @RFoundation01
A date for the next academy is yet to be confirmed, but if you would like to apply, you can submit your interest now by emailing jackie.gill@brs.org.uk. You will then be contacted to arrange an interview date, closer to the start date of the course.
To find out more information or for an application to attend the Pony Racing Academy with The British Racing School please contact Jackie Gill at Jackie.Gill@brs.org.uk or telephone 01638 501829.
Sign up to our email newsletter to get the latest from the BRS straight in your inbox